Head-to-head reliability
Volvo XC60 vs Toyota Camry
How the Volvo XC60 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Volvo XC60 vs Toyota Camry: The XC60 averages 105.2 complaints per year, mostly electrical and auto-braking issues, with 44 recalls. The Camry averages 208.1 complaints per year, with powertrain and brake problems, and 28 recalls. The Camry has a serious defect where the key can be removed in Drive. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo XC60 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo XC60
The Volvo XC60, while marketed as a premium SUV, shows a reliability profile dominated by electrical and electronic gremlins. Owners report the start/stop support battery failing, the center tablet blacking out, and the City Safety auto-braking system activating for no reason. These issues suggest a vehicle that can be unpredictable in daily use, with repairs often requiring dealer visits for software or sensor resets.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a mainstream sedan, has a higher complaint count but a broader spread of issues. Owners report the engine turning off while in drive, a stuck ignition key, spontaneous moonroof shattering, and brake thumping/grinding. While some problems are serious, the Camry's higher volume partly reflects its larger sales base, and many complaints involve intermittent or nuisance issues rather than safety-critical failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo XC60 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,052 Better | 2,081 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 | 28 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 70 Better | 177 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 105.2 Better | 208.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 71 Better | 161 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Volvo XC60
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM388
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER193
- 03SERVICE BRAKES161
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE143
- 05ENGINE85
Owners report the start/stop support battery failing, requiring service, and the center tablet blacking out while reversing. The battery's location is a concern for replacement cost. These electrical glitches can leave you stranded or without critical displays.
The City Safety auto-braking system activates unexpectedly, slamming the brakes for no reason—even when turning or with no obstacles. This can cause rear-end collisions or panic, and owners report it happening repeatedly at the same intersection.
Brake issues include premature rear rotor failure (needing replacement after one day) and unintended deceleration where the car slows on its own. Some owners also report the start/stop mechanism causing brake-related problems.
“The support battery for start/stop started to show on the dash and tells me that service is required about 2 weeks ago. "THE LOCATION OF THE BATTERY IS MY CONCERN". A month ago, the air coming out from the vent of the ac/heater started to smell like a rotten…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 VOLVO XC60. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND SHE DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STAT…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN384
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER332
- 03ENGINE309
- 04SERVICE BRAKES288
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM233
A dangerous defect allows the engine to be turned off and key removed while the car is still in Drive, with no warning—the car can roll away. Another issue is the ignition key getting stuck, requiring battery disconnect to remove.
The moonroof can spontaneously shatter while driving, sounding like a gunshot, with no external cause. This is a safety hazard from falling glass and a costly repair.
Owners report excessive engine noise, a musty smell in the trunk, and a vibration sound when the brake is pressed. These are often difficult for dealers to diagnose, leading to frustration.
Brake issues include a thumping noise on the driver's side over low spots, grinding rear brakes, and unintended braking activation. Some problems persist after multiple dealer visits.
“The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…”
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Volvo XC60 — 44 recalls
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2017 S60 and S60 Cross Country, V60 and V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles manufactured August 16, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator in…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply wi…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply wi…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for…
Toyota Camry — 28 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
Buyer analysis
Volvo XC60 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volvo XC60 averages 105.2 complaints per year versus the Camry's 208.1, but the XC60's complaints are heavily concentrated in electrical and collision-avoidance systems, making it more prone to unpredictable electronic failures. The Camry has more complaints overall but a wider variety of issues, some serious like the key-removal-in-Drive defect.
Key differences
- Volvo XC60 has 44 recalls vs Camry's 28, indicating more widespread factory issues.
- XC60's top problem is electrical system (388 complaints), while Camry's is powertrain (384 complaints).
- XC60 owners report phantom auto-braking; Camry owners report the car can be turned off while in Drive.
- Camry has a higher crash-related count (177 vs 70) but also higher sales volume.
- Test the start/stop system and check for 'service required' messages; the support battery is expensive to replace.
- Drive through an intersection with no obstacles to see if City Safety auto-brakes unexpectedly.
- Check that the key can be removed only when in Park; try turning off the engine in Drive to see if it warns you.
- Inspect the moonroof for cracks or stress marks, and listen for brake thumping or grinding during a test drive.
Before you buy
- For the XC60: verify the infotainment screen doesn't black out during reverse or while driving.
- For the Camry: test the ignition key removal in all gear positions to ensure it locks properly.
- For both: check for any open recalls using the VIN on NHTSA.gov.
- For the XC60: ask about the start/stop battery replacement history and cost.
- For the Camry: listen for engine vibration when braking and check trunk for musty odors.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Volvo XC60 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 97 |
| 2025 | 30 | 140 |
| 2024 | 44 | 46 |
| 2023 | 196 | 60 |
| 2022 | 340 | 57 |
| 2021 | 124 | 154 |
| 2020 | 80 | 264 |
| 2019 | 102 | 387 |
| 2018 | 108 | 728 |
| 2017 | 15 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Volvo XC60 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo XC60 vs Toyota Camry
- Volvo XC60 total complaints
- 1,052
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,081
- Volvo XC60 total recalls
- 44
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 28
- Volvo XC60 avg complaints/year
- 105.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 208.1
- More reliable overall
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC60 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN